Stacey Abrams in GA legislative records
On Civil Rights:
Welcome everyone, instead of "religious liberty"
Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed the "religious liberty" bill that triggered a wave of criticism from gay rights groups and business leaders. In a press conference at the state Capitol, Deal said House Bill 757 doesn't reflect Georgia's welcoming image as a
state full of "warm, friendly and loving people"--and warned critics that he doesn't respond well to threats of payback for rejecting the measure.The governor's veto infuriated religious conservatives who considered the measure,
House Bill 757, their top priority. Last year's Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex weddings galvanized their efforts. In stark terms, the governor said earlier this year that he would reject any measure that "allows discrimination in
our state in order to protect people of faith." Rooting his critique in biblical language, he urged fellow Republicans to "recognize that the world is changing."
Rep. Abrams voted NO; passed Senate 37-18-1 Mar.16; passed House 104-65-11 Mar.16
Source: AJC on Georgia legislative voting records: HB 757
Apr 9, 2016
On Crime:
Voted YES on criminalizing "up-skirting"
HB 9: Commonly known as "up skirting," legislation criminalizes knowingly using any device or apparatus to observe, photograph, videotape, film, or record underneath such person's clothing for the purpose of
viewing intimate body parts or undergarments without the person's consent. Also unlawful to disseminate any such image or recording. MY VOTE: YES
Source: 2018 campaign website on Georgia voting record HB 9
Mar 30, 2017
On Crime:
Voted NO on 10-year minimum for assaulting a cop
HB 258: Amends the Code regarding the aggravated assault of a peace officer by increasing the minimum sentence to ten years of imprisonment. If the aggravated assault of a peace officer involves the discharge of a firearm, none of the mandatory minimum
sentence can be probated, stayed, suspended, deferred or withheld. MY VOTE: NO. I disagree with the increase of mandatory minimums and the lack of discretion available to judges to fully determine if extenuating circumstances are present.
Source: 2018 campaign website on Georgia voting record HB 258
Mar 30, 2017
On Drugs:
Allow onsite testing for drug-free workplace program
SB96: A BILL relating to drug-free workplace programs, to provide for onsite testing & oral testing. Summary by eDrugTest.com: Georgia has a voluntary drug testing law. For companies that wish to qualify for a 7.5% discount on their
workers' compensation premiums they must comply with this law.
Legislative outcome:Passed House 160-2-18, Vote #429 on Apr/20/07; Rep. Abrams voted YES; passed Senate 56-0-0, Vote #175 on Mar/27/07; Signed by Gov. Perdue on May/24/07
Source: Asbestos.com on Georgia legislative voting records: SB182
Apr 30, 2007
On Families & Children:
Sometimes sex offenders get parental consent
Summary by Georgia State University Law Review: SB1 would make it illegal for persons required to register as sex offenders under Georgia law to record images of minors. Senator Eric Johnson stated, "whether it's just dirty thoughts, or
whether it could build up to some sort of obsession that could lead to a kidnapping or a rape or something else..." Rep. Stacey Abrams moved to incorporate "for indecent purposes." Rep. Abrams was concerned that the Senate version was overly broad.
For example, a professional photographer, who was required to register as a sexual offender, would have to obtain the consent of every minor's parent in order to lawfully take a picture of a high school sports team, thereby potentially
targeting protected speech.Legislative outcome:Passed House 131-22-27; Vote #1075 on Apr/04/08; Rep. Stacey Abrams voted NO; passed Senate 41-8-7; Vote #961 on Apr/04/08; Signed by Governor Sonny Perdue on May/13/08
Source: GSU Law Review on Georgia legislative voting records: LD415
May 13, 2008
On Government Reform:
Exact-match process violates Voting Rights Act
HB 268: Seeks to void a recent federal court settlement requiring the Secretary of State to refine its voter registration process to exclude the "exact matching" process that led to the unlawful cancellation more than 30,000 voter registration
applications since 2013. The bill would also require non-partisan voter information groups and Election Protection groups providing to move their tables or booths beyond the 150 foot barrier and at least 25 feet away from voters standing in
line--depending upon the length and location of lines of voters throughout the course of Election Day. MY VOTE: NO. HB 268 would negatively impact reforms recently agreed to by the Secretary of State in the federal settlement of the "exact match"
federal voting rights lawsuit and would likely lead to further expensive and time-consuming litigation. Furthermore, it likely violates the First Amendment, Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the National Voter Registration Act.
Source: 2018 campaign website on Georgia voting record HB 268
Mar 30, 2017
On Government Reform:
Stop redistricting voters of color to dilute their votes
HB 515: This bill amends the boundaries of multiple House legislative districts. Of most concern, the new map packs African-American voters from Republican HD 40 into heavily Democratic HD 53.
In HD 111, the revised maps continue a process initiated in 2015 to dilute black votes by shifting voters into adjacent districts and by adding white voters to the district in 2017.
MY VOTE: NO. Voters of color are facing increased inconvenience by repeated shifts in their districts, in order to accommodate diminished GOP voting strength.
With each redrawing of the lines, voters of color are shifted to new legislators and divided from neighbors.
Source: 2018 campaign website on Georgia voting record HB 515
Mar 30, 2017
On Gun Control:
Voted NO on "campus carry;" it won't make students safer
Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed legislation that would allow college students to carry concealed guns onto campuses after lawmakers defied his personal request for changes that would make exceptions to the gun rights expansion.House Bill 859 would legalize
firearms at all public colleges in Georgia. "If the intent of HB 859 is to increase safety of students on college campuses, it is highly questionable that such would be the result," Deal wrote in his veto message.
The gun measure, known as the "campus carry" bill, was long sought by conservatives and Second Amendment activists who cast it as a crucial safety measure for students, faculty and administrators to protect themselves.
Deal [had requested the legislature] to exempt on-campus child care facilities & office space in a separate measure, but they declined to make changes.
Rep. Abrams voted NO; passed Senate 34-17-5 Mar.11; passed House 113-59-8 Feb.16
Source: AJC on Georgia legislative voting records: HB 859
Mar 11, 2016
On Gun Control:
Gun-carry license doesn't apply to "campus carry"
HB 280: Current version of "campus carry." HB 280 would allow for any weapons carry license holder to concealed carry a firearm on public university campuses. Athletic areas, student housing,
and fraternity and sorority houses are not covered under the proposed exception. Carrying is also prohibited on up to three on-campus pre-school spaces. MY VOTE: NO
Source: 2018 campaign website on Georgia voting record HB 280
Mar 30, 2017
On Gun Control:
AR-15s are not necessary on our streets
Q: When you were a state lawmaker in 2016, you co-sponsored House Bill 731 that would have allowed state authorities to take away so-called assault weapons from current gun owners. Most similar bans would grandfather in existing semiautomatic rifles.
ABRAMS: In Georgia, you introduce legislation to start conversations. I am happy to work with the legislature to figure out how we make an assault weapons ban work. But what I fundamentally believe is that we have to have commonsense gun safety
legislation. I am someone who supports the Second Amendment, who knows how to shoot, who knows how to hunt, but I believe that our responsibility is to make certain that the most vulnerable in our society do not face those who are irresponsible with
their weapons. AR-15s are not necessary on our streets. Semiautomatic weapons have to be put under a certain level of responsible control. And I believe that I can work with Democrats and Republicans to come up with commonsense gun safety legislation.
Source: CNN interviews 2018 on Georgia 2016 voting records HB731
Nov 4, 2018
On Health Care:
Let ObamaCare plans cover abortion
Legislative Summary: A BILL relating to insurance, to provide opt out of funding abortions through qualified health plans: No abortion coverage shall be provided by a qualified health plan offered within the federal
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act [ObamaCare], except in the case of medical emergency.OnTheIssues Interpretation:
ObamaCare requires that healthcare plans fund abortions; this state law would remove that stipulation from Georgia insurance plans offered under ObamaCare. Voting NO means abortion coverage would be required in healthcare plans.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 37-18-1 on March 18, vote #676; passed House 105-64-7 on March 18, vote #795; Rep. Stacey Abrams voted NO; signed by Gov. Deal April 21
Source: Georgia legislative voting records: SB 98
Mar 18, 2014
On Health Care:
Allow asbestos lawsuits before physical impairment occurs
SB182: A BILL to change provisions relating to asbestos claims and silica claims; to provide that physical impairment shall be an essential element of an asbestos claim or a silica claim; to provide for a limitations period for filing a claim.
Summary by the Mesothelioma Center: Georgia enacted a revised version of the Asbestos and Silica Litigation Reform law on May 1, 2007. Plaintiffs with asbestos-related cancers must provide evidence of physical impairment. Georgia also attempts
to limit the use of information obtained from mass asbestos screenings sponsored by personal injury lawyers.
Legislative outcome: [Voting YES establishes stricter rules to file lawsuit for asbestos damage. Voting NO keeps the existing
rules, allowing asbestos lawsuits before physical impairment is proven]. Passed House 156-1-23, Vote #321 on Apr/17/07; Rep. Abrams voted NO; passed Senate 36-3-17, Vote #444 on Apr/20/07; Signed by Gov. Perdue, Apr/30/07.
Source: Asbestos.com on Georgia legislative voting records: SB182
Apr 17, 2007
On Health Care:
Tax breaks for high deductible insurance; no aid for insured
SB383: A BILL to provide for the Commissioner of Insurance to adopt policies to promote, approve, and encourage health savings account eligible high deductible plans in Georgia; to provide for exemptions from certain unfair trade practices for certain
wellness and health promotion programs, condition or disease management programs, health risk appraisal programs, and similar provisions in such plans.Summary by the CBPP:Georgia created new tax breaks for high-deductible health plans.
Almost 1.7 million Georgians--20%t of all residents under age 65--are uninsured. Almost 2/3 of them have incomes below 200% of the poverty line. Georgia's plan does not attempt to help these low-income individuals obtain insurance. Instead the plan's
main target is uninsured people with incomes over $50,000.
Legislative outcome:Passed Senate 36-12-8, Vote #623 on Feb/26/08; Passed House 148-2-30, Vote #1070 on Apr/04/08; Rep. Abrams voted YES; Signed by Gov. Perdue, May/7/08.
Source: CBPP on Georgia legislative voting records: SB383
Apr 4, 2008
On Homeland Security:
Give military base residents tuition & teaching certificates
- HB 222: Allows a member of the Georgia National Guard or a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States located in Georgia to be classified as a legal resident under eligibility requirements for HOPE scholarships and
grants. MY VOTE: YES
- HB 224: Amends the 'Quality Basic Education Act' to allow military students the ability to attend any school within their school system beginning in the 2017-2018 school year, where space is available.
This legislation defines a "military student" as any student whose parent is a military service member who lives on or off a military base. MY VOTE: YES
- HB 245: Requires the Georgia Professional Standards
Commission to implement a process allowing military spouses to qualify for temporary teaching certificates, teaching certificates by endorsement, or expedited teaching certificates when moving to Georgia. MY VOTE: YES
Source: 2018 campaign website on Georgia voting record HB 222
Mar 30, 2017
On Immigration:
Colleges need not act as immigration enforcement officers
HB 37: Would prohibit any private postsecondary institution eligible for tuition equalization grants from implementing a sanctuary policy. Sanctuary policies restrict employees' cooperation with federal and state officials or law enforcement officers
reporting immigration status information. Any private postsecondary institution that refuses to cooperate may lose state funding or state-administered federal funding, which includes scholarship funds received by students of the institution.
MY VOTE: NO. Institutions of higher learning should not be compelled to act as immigration enforcement officers for any branch of government. More concerning, if the institution violates the policy, all students would be punished.
For example, if a school violates the policy, any HOPE Grant recipient could lose his or her funding, regardless of immigration status.
Source: 2018 campaign website on Georgia voting record HB 37
Mar 30, 2017
On Principles & Values:
Oppose monument to Ten Commandments at State Capitol
Legislative Summary: A BILL to provide for placement of a monument depicting the Ten Commandments at the Capitol Building. Subject to the availability of funds, there shall be placed within the capitol building or grounds a historic
granite monument depicting:- The Preamble to the Georgia Constitution;
- The part of the Declaration of Independence which states that men 'are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights'
- and the Ten Commandments.
Gifts and donations from private individuals, organizations, or foundations shall be accepted. Legislative Outcome:
Passed Senate 40-10-3 on March 12, vote #619; passed House 138-37-5 on March 3, Rep. Abrams voted NO; vote #663; signed by Gov. Deal April 29.
Source: Georgia legislative voting records: HB 702
Mar 3, 2014
On Welfare & Poverty:
No mandatory drug testing for food stamp recipients
Legislative Summary: A BILL to require drug testing for applicants for food stamps; to provide requirements; to provide that any person who fails such drug test shall be ineligible to receive food stamps; to provide for reapplication;
to provide for children's food stamps; and to provide for confidentiality of records. The term 'established drug test' means the collection and testing of bodily fluids administered in a manner equivalent to that required by the
Federal Workplace Drug Testing Program. However, where possible and practicable, a swab test shall be used in lieu of a urinalysis. Drug tests may be conducted when any information obtained by the department that reasonable suspicion exists.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 21-32-3 on March 20, vote #729; passed House 100-67-13 on March 20, vote #729; Rep. Stacey Abrams voted NO; signed by Gov. Deal April 29.
Source: Georgia legislative voting records: HB 772
Mar 20, 2014
Page last updated: Feb 13, 2023